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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01-14-2014 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting January 14, 2014 Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on January 14, 2014. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Willis, Stein, Bildsoe, Johnson, and Prom (arrived at 5:20 p.m.). ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Callister, Administrative Services Director Fischer, Community Development Director Juetten, Police Chief Goldstein, Ice Arena Manager Abel, Park and Recreation Director Evans, Public Works Director Cote, Assistant City Engineer Renneberg, and City Clerk Engdahl. Update on Hollydale 11 5k Proiect and Substation Site Public Works Director Cote reported that on December 10, 2013, Xcel Energy submitted a petition to withdraw their proposed Hollydale 11 5k project for reasons cited in their petition without prejudice. Crosswalk Shining and Marking Mayor Slavik stated she has received complaints from residents on a trail crossing on Dunkirk Lane that used to be a crosswalk and it's not longer being painted. She asked if that's a shift in policy in not marking the crosswalks. Public Works Director Cote replied stated a staff task force met in 2013 and provided a report that includes the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) guidelines on where marked crosswalks alone (i.e., without traffic -calming treatments, traffic signals and pedestrian signals when warranted, or other substantial crossing improvement) are insufficient and shouldn't be used under the following conditions: 1. Where the speed limit exceeds 40 mph. 2. On a roadway with four or more lanes without a raised median or crossing island that has or will soon have) an average daily traffic (ADT) of 12,000 or greater. 3. On a roadway with four or more lanes with a raised median or crossing island that has (or soon will have) an ADT of 15,000 or greater. Adopted Minutes 1 of 5 Special Meeting of January 14, 2014 Mayor Slavik requested and received support from the Council to paint the crosswalks at 24th and Dunkirk Lane and Revere Lane and Highway 55 (by Rainbow Foods). These two areas would be painted and staff would put out the pedestrian signs. Councilmember Bildsoe asked about the trail crossing in Ferndale that is heavily used and paint is almost worn off. Public Works Director Cote replied that that is one of the crosswalks that the State said they're not going to paint. The City can communicate with the State to restripe that crosswalk. The Council looked at the recommendations listed in the staff report and stated they support increased education, increased police enforcement, follow FHWA guidelines and either install facility enhancements to certain crossings or remove marked crosswalks. In addition, they support installing push button activated warning lights ($7,000 each) on uncontrolled crosswalks located on a four -lane roadway with speeds 40 mph or higher that are either school zones and directly adjacent to City parks (with playgroundsiball fields/etc.), similar to the crossings at Wayzata Central Middle School and Lake Camelot Park as noted as item 3a in the report. Crosswalks included would be: Vicksburg Lane Lane at Plymouth Creek Elementary Fernbrook Lane at Plymouth Creek Park Schmidt Lake Road at Providence Academy The Council discussed removing eight crosswalks on roadways that the FHWA guidelines state should not be marked and had lower users and compliance in the counts noted above. This is item 3b of the staff report: Vicksburg Lane Lane at 25th and 39th, County Road 47 at Yucca Lane, Fernbrook lane at 44th Place, County Road 61 at 37th and 45th, and Niagara Lane at 23rd and 25th. Consider installing trail crossing signs at Vicksburg Lane Lane at 25th, Fernbrook Lane at 44th Place, County Road 61 at 37th, and Niagara Lane at 25th. Other locations are close to other trails or controlled intersections and would be eliminated. Pedestrians can still cross at these locations but would need to select a gap in vehicles large enough to cross safely. Councilmember Wosje stated his concern in removing the crosswalks is that it can make it less safe as people will cross the roadway anyway. He suggested taking steps to make them safer rather than removing them. Police Chief Goldstein stated if the crosswalks are eliminated, the ones that remain will try to be enhanced. He stated there shouldn't be crosswalks if the speed of the roadways is 40 mph or greater. Councilmember Bildsoe agreed and stated on a four -lane roadway, the motorists are going too fast and they can't react. Pedestrians shouldn't be put at risk on a four -lane roadway. He stated Adopted Minutes 2 of 5 Special Meeting of January 14, 2014 he wouldn't even support lights as we don't want to encourage pedestrians to cross these roadways. Councilmember Wosje stated he would support flashing lights. He stated it isn't safe to cross Vicksburg Lane from County Road 6 and Highway 55; therefore, he doesn't support removing the crosswalk at Vicksburg Lane and 25th. Councilmember Willis stated if the City has a trail system where pedestrians need to cross Vicksburg Lane, there should be lights. Councilmember Bildsoe stated it's easier for motorists to react on narrower roads. Striping a road and installing pedestrian signs that drivers can't see isn't good. It puts the burden on pedestrians that there is no cover. The Council needs to be clear if the City is going to maintain those areas. There needs to be something more substantial than a little yellow light flashing. Councilmember Johnson cautioned the Council about the development in Northwest Plymouth and sidewalk crossings. Public Works Director Cote stated there would be controlled and signalized intersections at County Road 47 and Peony Lane and County Road 47 and Vicksburg Lane Lane. The Council reiterated that they support items 3a of the report as listed above. However, they requested staff to provide additional alternatives in signing crosswalks other than the $7,000 yellow flashing lights. This would come back to the Council at a future meeting. Regarding item 3b of staff's report, removal of crosswalks as listed above, Mayor Slavik requested that staff provide a report to the Council on the traffic counts, users, and what's surrounding those eight crosswalks, i.e. are they connecting to parks and trails. She stated the Council should consider adopting a sidewalk policy for consistency. Update on Plymouth Ice Center Training Facility Park and Recreation Director Evans and Ice Arena Manager Abel provided a presentation on the proposed training facility at the Ice Arena. This would be a public-private partnership between Acceleration Minnesota NW, Wayzata Youth Hockey Association, and the City. The City would lease the training facility to Acceleration Minnesota NW, and they would operate the facility and provide athletic training and skill development for all sports programs. This is a $1 million project with Wayzata Youth Hockey Association contributing $400,000. Acceleration Minnesota NW would have a 10 -year lease agreement which will include a yearly lease rate of $9 per square foot with a 3% yearly inflator ($64,980-$84,784). They will prepay their year one lease of 64,980 prior to 2014 construction. Lease payments for years 2-10 will be paid monthly following the terms of the lease agreement. The lease terms would require them to pay all utilities, taxes, and interior improvements. The lease revenue after the eighth year would be available for other facility improvements and/or needs. Adopted Minutes 3 of 5 Special Meeting of January 14, 2014 Councilmember Willis stated this isn't a good financial deal for the City, and it could be funded privately. Councilmembers Bildsoe, Johnson, and Wosje disagreed and stated this would be an asset for the Ice Arena as the City continues to update the facility so it's competitive with other facilities. Councilmember Wosje stated he would like further information on Acceleration Minnesota NW and how the City selected that firm. Park and Recreation Director Evans replied this firm has leased space at the Plymouth Creek Center, and they have been in partnership with the Wayzata Hockey Association. Mayor Slavik asked if there will be a parking problem at the Ice Center as 40% of Acceleration Minnesota NW's customers are hockey players. Ice Arena Manager Abel replied they have looked at the parking and there would be no loss of parking spaces. A lot of the other non - hockey athletes who will use the facility are during non -hockey times. The average of 12-15 vehicles shouldn't pose a parking problem. Mayor Slavik noted that she was contacted by Breakaway Academy and they would like to use this training facility. The majority of the Council gave staff direction to proceed with this project and hire a consultant to work on the project. Greg Gibson from the Wayzata Hockey Association, thanked the Council for their support of this public/private partnership. Set Future Study Sessions The Council scheduled the following study session, added item to existing study session, and scheduled a tour: 1. February 4 at 6:00 p.m.: Hilde Performance Center Improvements and Veterans Memorial update. 2. February I I at 5:30 p.m.: added quarterly update with City Manager to the agenda. 3. February 18 at 6:00 p.m.: Tour of Maple Grove/Plymouth Shooting Range Facility. Adopted Minutes 4 of 5 Special Meeting of January 14, 2014 Adjournment Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. Sandra R. Engdahl, y Clerk Adopted Minutes 5 of 5 Special Meeting of January 14, 2014